Spraying machine



Feb. 16, 1960 w. M. SPRENG 2,925,222

SPRAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 50, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WARREN M,

f v- I/ w ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1960 Filed Jan. 50, 1957 w. M. SPRENG 2,925,222

SPRAYINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY /MM g' JMM ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1960 w. M. SPRENG SPRAYING" MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1957 INVENTOR WARREN M. SPRE'NG ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1960 w. M. SPRENG 2,925,222

SPRAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 50, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 V 49 Fig. 6 48 54 INVENTOR WARREN M. SPRE/VG ,a BY

ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1960 w. M. SPRENG 2,925,222

SPRAYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 195 7 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR WARREN M SPRENG ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1960 Filed Jan. 30, 1957 w. M. SPRENG 'SPRAYING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY? United States Patent This present invention relates to an improved method and machinefor directing finely divided spray material such as insecticides and fungicides on trees, bushes and g round crops. ,In particular this invention is directed to a machine and method for utilization where plantings are closely spaced and where the foliage of adjacent rows grows close together as in banana, citrus and similar groves.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a method of spraying which involves the enveloping of the trees, crops and other foliage to be sprayed in a soft fog of a spray, which, spray is simultaneously, directed laterally and downwardly from abovethe trees, etc. and upwardly and laterally from near .ground level.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a mobile spraying machine for dispensing insecticides and fungicides therefrom downwardly and laterally on foliage while simultaneously directing a spray upwardly and laterally, and while the machine operates at a convenient rateof speed, resulting in economical operation and economical application of the spray material.

In the practice of the invention these and other allied objects are achieved by providing in cooperative relation a pair of fans and spray discharge nozzles. .One of the fans discharges air to its associated nozzles at near ground level, while the other of the fans discharges air through a tower which forms a vertical duct having upper air outlet means associated with others of the nozzles. Provision is made for directing the air flow to the nozzle arrangements in such manner that the emanating sprays may be discharged simultaneously if desired laterally and downwardly and laterally and upwardly to the foliage undertreatment. Further, provision is made for directing sprays from both sides of the machine simultaneously in order that rows of foliage on either side of the machine may be treated at the same time inthe passage of the machine.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a spraying machine constructed according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the spraying machine of invention showing it in the act of applying spraying material to treeson either side of the machine. Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinalsection taken on line 3 -3 of Figure 1 and illustrating the construction of the machine of invention and with portions of the tower removed;

Figure 4 is a right-end .view of the structure of Fig- Figures' 5,6 anaflieuetan'views of the structural arrangement of the tower illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating the junction of the upper circular-oval tower portion with the lower rectangular tower portion illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a detail view of the ground clot and its associated blower;

level outlet Figure 10 is a detail view of the tower blower and its associated fan;

Figure 11 is a schematic view illustrating an arrangement of the pump, conduits and spray nozzles of the machine of invention;

Figure 12 is a detail view illustrating the power shaft and spray source arrangement; and

Figures 13 and 14 are elevational views indicating arrangements of the structure of invention for spraying at diiferentfl'evels. p

Referring to the drawings in detail, the device ofthis invention comprisesa movable frame 11 composed of H-beams suitably joined and having caterpillar type supporting treads indicated at 2. The frame 1 is adapted for attaching to a tractor or other similar pulling device so that it may be pulled on the treads through an orchardor field which is to be sprayed. To accomplish this purpose the frame has at itsforward end a hitch mechanism indicated by the numeral 3.

Mounted on the frame intermediate the length thereof is a tank or reservoir 4, into which the material to be dispensed by the machine is placed. As shown the reservoiror tank 4 is for the purpose of receiving liquid forms of-insecticides' or fungicides; but it will be understood that under certain circumstances means could be provided for jconve'yingsimilar materials in other forms.

Atthe forward endof the frame 1 there is a power unit compartment designated by the reference numeral "5. This compartment includes 'a suitable engine of the internal combustion type indicated at 6 and having a radiator 7, a fan 8 driventhrough belting 9, and a generator belt indicated at 10, as well as theother usual accessories of such an engine. The numeral 11 designates a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the engine 6.

The engine 6 is provided with output shaft 12 from which the belts 9 and 10 are driven and which shaft, at an opposite end thereof, is provided with a multi-V belt pulley 13. V-belts 14 pass from the pulley 13 over another multi-V belt pulley designated at 15 and which latter pulley is mounted on a pump shaft 16 of a pump 17. The pump 17 is for the purpose of providing spray material under pressure to the nozzles, as noted more particularly hereinafter.

At the rearward end of the frame 1 there is mounted a blower unit sheet metal casing 18 for a fan 19 which is secured on shaft 20. Shaft 20 is supported at one end from hearing box 21, which is itself mounted on brackets 22 extending upwardly angularly from the frame 1. The shaft 20 is supported at its other end by a bearing block 23 mounted on brackets 24 which are themselves secured to the frame 1 in any suitable manner. 12), by means-of coupling25, is secured to shaft 26 which is itself coupled at 27 'to the engine shaft. The shaft 26 passes through an opening 28 formed by partition 29 in tank/1. i

Shaft 20 at itsjinner extremity mounts a pulley 30 over which beltmeans 31 pass to pulley 32 mounted on jack shaft 33. Jack shaft 33 carries a pulley 34 over which belts35 pass toapulley336 mounted on a bearing supported shaft 37. Shaft 37 extendsinwardly of the tank 4and; carries a plurality of agitator paddles designated b'ythe numeral .38. It isvgenerally desirable to agitate themateriahinthe tank4 and anysuitable means m y eqemploy d fo purp s -l e .si Then me al 3'.dssi na est r iv y en in sr l work adjacent which there is a housing 41 of sheet metal. The housing 41 terminates in an angle flange 42 and forms the base of a tower. Housing 41 is in the form of a volute casing and encloses a fan 43 which delivers air up the inside of the tower. Guide vanes 44 in the housing 41 (Fig. 10) direct the air upwardly.

The tower comprises a sheet metal lower section 46 Shaft 20 (Fig.

' the pump (Fig. 4)

of substantially rectangular cross-section mounted on the housing 4 upper P t ons o the tower e. d s gna by the numeral 46-A, the latter being of oval shape in contrast to the lower rectangular portions 46. The circue ro shape o th upper at-t of the tow ffe lesS interference and resistance to passage between close rown i e heh .sl s esqua s -s t o an ac o n y th eir h rro al shape s ref ed o applications. his to be understood, as indicated in Fig. 1 ha a pl y o e ons. 6 may b pro ided an that the circular-oval portion may be in convenient sectional lengths also, i

Th upp ower s t n d s nat d by th ume a 47 is in the general form of a T-shape and has lateral d s 8, 49- u at nd substan lly e t al y of the tower the e uppor d a n r e n rti ioh hic d vi e t e lowe a pas n on the -t 'w. -v

Du t 4: has ne ibo esl th rein a pl rality f g d relies Wh fillet 81 4. support d t ere a p u lity o guide ari s 5 I se uide va s i e t th air at a ly, resp c i y, to ou le 3. 5 o th du t .9, 4 VA manif 55 i sup o ed at h o t of du 49 and a similar manifold 56 is supported at the outlet o due ,8 t-a le braeket 5 58 a e med to the t e to term up rts f r h ani old The numeral 59 designates nozzles on the manifold 5 W il t e m ral 6.0. ate n z e o h meniold 56- liae o t e lslhe s 49 4 i P vid w a ad ust b pivot fl@ $h l a 1 n he duct 4 and at Q in the duct 48. These deflectors provide for directing portions of the air flow downwardly to the duct outlets. I

The outer side of the tower is provided with a plurality of climbing rungs 64, and suitable fleXible conduits ,65, 66 are retained by the rungs 64 in their passage to h ma fo d 55, rom the Pump,-

Referring again to the casing 1 8, the numeral 70 designates an arcuate slot in the casing through which air is discharged at near ground level. A first'rnanifold 72 is positioned at one side of the casing and a second manifold 73 is at the opposite side of the casing 18.

The manifold 72 does not extend as far below the horizontal center line of the fan 19 as does the manifold 73; this is because the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow in Figure 4 is such that the air tends to flow downwardly on manifold side 72 and upwardly on manifold side 73 of the discharge slot 70. i

The numerals 74, 75,, respectively, designate nozzles on the manifolds 72, 73, These nozzles 74, 75 are rotatably adjustable on pipe fittings as at 78 (Fig. 3); thus the discharge of'the spray may be controlled for maximum effectiveness.

The numerals 76, 77, respectively, designate the inlets to the manifolds 72 73 for the flew of spray liquid from The pump 17, as may be seen from the schematic view, has the inlet thereof connected to the conduit 80 which communicates with the tanl; through a suitable strainer 82. Conduit 84 (Fig. 1 1 connects the pump to branch conduits 86, 88, 9i), 9; for the fiow olfspray'liguid to t manifolds 5, 56, 7 7 pec iv ly- Whi P e erab y the c nd t o t m n f lds a .5 and a e flexible as shown in F gv1,=the conduits m y be .of any suitable material "and may comprise rigid portions in the a framemounted on power driven means, a'e

a,92 5,222 L I e 4 Operation Preparatory to putting the machine of invention in operation, the material to be dispensed is placed in the tank 4. The engine 6 is then stated and the pump 17 will build up a pressure in the conduits leading to the manifolds and the manifolds themselves.

Assuming that two rows joi trees are to be sprayed, the machine of invention is drawn by any suitable vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, between the rows. The fan 19 will direct a spray simultaneously laterally and upwardly from near ground level. The air blown by fan 43 will direct the spray simultaneously laterally and downwardly from above the .top of the trees.

The fan, pump and agitator are alldriven by the same power source, that is, the engine d. Thus. a finely divided spray material is directed simultaneously both upwardly and laterally near ground level and. downwardly and laterally from above the tops of the trees. "It will be understood that thisinyenti to -mociific ation in order to adaptit tn 1 and conditions and ac cording lyfit'is desired to com hend such modifications within this "invention as within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim: i

A'mobile tower spraying machine for concurrently spraying a pair of rows of trees, said machine comprising ported on said framefan, airblower arranged 'casing'inelu'cling means for driving the blower, a hollow vertically extending tower section'eennected to said and communicating with said blower which blows upwardly of said tower, a T-shaped duct section of circular cross-section at the top of said tower and commu nicating therewith, said T-shaped .duct section consisting of a duct extending transversely of said tower and conimunicating with said hollow vertically extending tower section, said transversely extending duct being -open at its opposite ends, a partitioning means mounted in said transversely extending duct and depending into said hollow tower section for dividing said transversely extending duct into two equal duct sections whereby the flow of air from the blower and into said transversely extending duct of the T-shaped duct section is evenly divided, a plurality of outwardly curved guide vanes spacedly arranged in each of the divided transversely extending duct sections for directing the air flowing intd said divided transversely extending duct sections laterally and outwardly through the open end thereof, a concentrically arranged'manifold and circularly disposed spray mounted in the outer ends of each of said divide t versely extending duct sections, said spray nozzles being connected to a source of liquid spray material pressure for delivery to said spray nozzles. Y 

